I Was Not Sent To Lagos To Foment Trouble - Joseph Mbu

Indication that the forth coming general elections will be conducted in a peaceful environment received a boost as the new Assistant Inspector General of Police Joseph Mbu assured Nigerians that the police will be impartial.

Mr. Mbu stated this during his first official visit to the Lagos State police command where he charged the officers and men to conduct themselves in a professional manner or face dismissal.

Mr. Mbu stated that he was posted to Lagos to carry out a professional duty contrary to reports that the presidency sent him to Lagos to help the ruling People’s Democratic Party win the elections in the state . He said  ” Some of you think I was sent to Lagos for the elections but left to me I will not come to Lagos. i want to go back to Abuja I am nobody’s “boy,boy”(servant).

“I was posted here because I am hardworking and I don’t compromise. This is not the first time I am conducting election. I have conducted elections in Potikum in Yobe State,in Suleja and in Delta state and I did very well there. People say that I am this and that and they are afraid of me but do I look troublesome to you? I am meek, humble but I will not allow anybody to cause trouble. I told my officers and men to be impartial but they should not allow anybody to use them. Our duty is not to rig election. We will prove our critics wrong.We will prove the prophets of doom wrong. We are going to ensure that no evil takes place because evil breeds violence. The policemen have been warned against compromise. Any of them that by negligence or inertia fails to do the right time and that place he is supposed to protect becomes compromised,we will set up an investigation panel and if such officer is found wanting,he will be dismissed”.

Mr. Mbu also stated that protection of lives and property before,duty and after the elections will be professionally handled by the police adding that officers and men have received the requisite training and are collaborating with other security agencies

“I was passing the other day and I saw some political thugs carrying cutlass and broken bottles around. I told my officers to arrest such persons and mop up small arms in the state. We are going to prove our critics wrong. We are going to prove the prophets of doom wrong.

We will ensure that the election is conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. I have instructed my men to arrest and detain any body who do not have business during the election. We are going to use monitors on our vehicles and we will conduct ourselves professionally but if anybody attacks my men violently, we will respond violently”

I repeat, if anybody attacks my men violently, we will respond violently. We are not INEC , so we cannot rig elections, we are unbiased and we are committed to ensuring that the elections are conducting in a free and fair atmosphere free of fear and intimidation.”

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